A goodbye statement from Lappy

I just talked to Ian Laperriere, and he asked to pass along this quote to you all:
“I had a great time in Denver for the past four years. Thank you, fans, for your support,” Laperriere told The Denver Post. “I’d like to thank the Lacroix family as well, as they are the reason I had a chance to live in and enjoy Denver. There is a good chance Denver is going to be our home when I’m done playing.”

Lappy will be gone after tomorrow. I don’t know which team he’ll be playing for, but it won’t be the Avalanche.
It’s too bad, but Lappy certainly doesn’t want anybody feeling sorry for him. But he sincerely will miss Avs fans and living here. Not so sure he feels the same way about the organization anymore, but that’s another story.

I just got mad all over again. I loved Lappy. I can’t wait until he fights Tucker.

Aaron

I just got mad all over again. I loved Lappy. I can’t wait until he fights Tucker.

Chris

Too bad we can’t just impeach Tucker, that guy is not worth anything, definitely does more harm than good.

Why don’t they buy him out? That is hands down the best option we have with him. Can’t trade the guy and obviously we shouldn’t give him any ice time, so lets buy him out!

Will definitely miss Lappy, and thanks a lot Giguere for sticking us with that waste Darcy.

Chris

Too bad we can’t just impeach Tucker, that guy is not worth anything, definitely does more harm than good.

Why don’t they buy him out? That is hands down the best option we have with him. Can’t trade the guy and obviously we shouldn’t give him any ice time, so lets buy him out!

Will definitely miss Lappy, and thanks a lot Giguere for sticking us with that waste Darcy.

Sad Fan

This is a sad, sad day. I will forever rock my #14 Avs jersey in his honor. Thanks for all you do Lappy, we’ll miss you!

Sad Fan

This is a sad, sad day. I will forever rock my #14 Avs jersey in his honor. Thanks for all you do Lappy, we’ll miss you!

Bill W

If Budaj was deserving of the raise he got then certainly Ian was worthy of being given an offer similar to what he had been making instead of the paycut. I do hope they are able to get rid of the other players that were not given offers. I think they can afford to get rid of Jones also.

Bill W

If Budaj was deserving of the raise he got then certainly Ian was worthy of being given an offer similar to what he had been making instead of the paycut. I do hope they are able to get rid of the other players that were not given offers. I think they can afford to get rid of Jones also.

Casimir Pulaski

Thank you, Lappy, for your class both on and off the ice – I’ll never forget that October night back in 2005 when you scored the overtime winner against Vancouver – never heard the building that loud since that goal…Plus, it was both of my girls’ first time in the Pepsi Center – priceless…Best of luck, go get your name on the cup!

Avs management: Shame on you for bringing back a sieve goalie, who was brought back because of work ethic and character, without doing the same for Lappy.

Casimir Pulaski

Thank you, Lappy, for your class both on and off the ice – I’ll never forget that October night back in 2005 when you scored the overtime winner against Vancouver – never heard the building that loud since that goal…Plus, it was both of my girls’ first time in the Pepsi Center – priceless…Best of luck, go get your name on the cup!

Avs management: Shame on you for bringing back a sieve goalie, who was brought back because of work ethic and character, without doing the same for Lappy.

Ryan B

We love you Lappy. Miss you big time. Denver owes you.

Ryan B

We love you Lappy. Miss you big time. Denver owes you.

Dario

Colorado would love to have Lappy settle down here. Saw him at Wahoos last year with his family and the best way I can put it is the guy is genuine. He’s all about the kids that’s for sure. Our community will be that much poorer for when he’s no longer here.

I can’t believe he’s going. The value of a hockey player can’t be quantified by a spreadsheet and that’s what this feels like.

Dario

Colorado would love to have Lappy settle down here. Saw him at Wahoos last year with his family and the best way I can put it is the guy is genuine. He’s all about the kids that’s for sure. Our community will be that much poorer for when he’s no longer here.

I can’t believe he’s going. The value of a hockey player can’t be quantified by a spreadsheet and that’s what this feels like.

Casimir Pulaski

A.D. – Can you keep us posted on Avs free agent news & possibly some predictions?

Casimir Pulaski

A.D. – Can you keep us posted on Avs free agent news & possibly some predictions?

Chris

I believ that the Avs can bury Tucker in the minors that way they will not have to eat his salary. Pittsburg did that with Satan and brought him back for the playoffs. lappy will be missed for all the goods things he did in society.
AD am I right on that ?

Chris

I believ that the Avs can bury Tucker in the minors that way they will not have to eat his salary. Pittsburg did that with Satan and brought him back for the playoffs. lappy will be missed for all the goods things he did in society.
AD am I right on that ?

lilAvsFan

We love you Lappy! We wish you could stay, but respect you and your decision. Our only hope is that you sign with a team in our division so we can see you a few times a year back here in Denver. Good luck to you and your family.

lilAvsFan

We love you Lappy! We wish you could stay, but respect you and your decision. Our only hope is that you sign with a team in our division so we can see you a few times a year back here in Denver. Good luck to you and your family.

AvsFan13

What do you expect from this management team, Pierre Lacroix is a joke, and Stan Kroenke is the worst owner in the NHL. Lappy will be missed in the locker room, and on the ice, what a class act. He was one of only a few players that cared about winning last season, never took a night off, and was the heart and soul of this team.

Keep Tucker around Pierre, you are so brilliant.

AvsFan13

What do you expect from this management team, Pierre Lacroix is a joke, and Stan Kroenke is the worst owner in the NHL. Lappy will be missed in the locker room, and on the ice, what a class act. He was one of only a few players that cared about winning last season, never took a night off, and was the heart and soul of this team.

Keep Tucker around Pierre, you are so brilliant.

Garin

To Lappy – Thank you sincerely for taking the time to tell us all that. If it were up to the fans, you’d be here until the day you decided you didn’t want to be. We hate to see you leave, and thank you for the effort on the ice and off the ice in our community. Best of luck to you, sir.

Garin

To Lappy – Thank you sincerely for taking the time to tell us all that. If it were up to the fans, you’d be here until the day you decided you didn’t want to be. We hate to see you leave, and thank you for the effort on the ice and off the ice in our community. Best of luck to you, sir.

Ken J.

You rock Lappy. It was great to have you on the team. Best of luck to you for the rest of your playing career.

Ken J.

You rock Lappy. It was great to have you on the team. Best of luck to you for the rest of your playing career.

Ken

Lappy you rule!!! It’s 9:37 PM MST & I still have hope!

Ken

Lappy you rule!!! It’s 9:37 PM MST & I still have hope!

Esteban

Sad.

I live in Portland, OR and I ordered the NHL Package just to watch Lappy, Joe and Stats.
The way this organization treated Lappy (his contract) makes me want to friggin’ puke! What happened? why sign a bunch of underachieving degenerates and not find a spot for this guy?

Ian played with heart and with fire. He is what the Av’s used to represent.

I am going to miss him.

Esteban

Sad.

I live in Portland, OR and I ordered the NHL Package just to watch Lappy, Joe and Stats.
The way this organization treated Lappy (his contract) makes me want to friggin’ puke! What happened? why sign a bunch of underachieving degenerates and not find a spot for this guy?

Ian played with heart and with fire. He is what the Av’s used to represent.

I am going to miss him.

Rachel

Lappy, thank you for four wonderful years. You can always put as much butter on your toast as you like. You will be missed but always welcomed back with open arms, you’re part of our team forever and I wish you and your family nothing but the best, stay safe and happy.

I have rarely cried over the Avs, I did out of joy when we won our Stanley Cups, I cried when it was announced that Peter had to have his spleen removed, and when he left us after the lockout. I cried when Ray and Roy retired and when Steve Moore was attacked, and I’m crying tonight because this is not how this organisation is supposed to be. Keeping worthless, heartless players and letting go of our heart and soul.

Adrian you have too much jounalistic integrity to name who didn’t take losses seriously last year, but if anybody else knows or can say off the record, I think the fans deserve to know now.

Rachel

Lappy, thank you for four wonderful years. You can always put as much butter on your toast as you like. You will be missed but always welcomed back with open arms, you’re part of our team forever and I wish you and your family nothing but the best, stay safe and happy.

I have rarely cried over the Avs, I did out of joy when we won our Stanley Cups, I cried when it was announced that Peter had to have his spleen removed, and when he left us after the lockout. I cried when Ray and Roy retired and when Steve Moore was attacked, and I’m crying tonight because this is not how this organisation is supposed to be. Keeping worthless, heartless players and letting go of our heart and soul.

Adrian you have too much jounalistic integrity to name who didn’t take losses seriously last year, but if anybody else knows or can say off the record, I think the fans deserve to know now.

paincorp

He needs to come back home…..to LA! We miss him here.

Lappy – Talk to Dean Lombardi and put back on the forum blue.

Open Arms brotha…Open Arms….

paincorp

He needs to come back home…..to LA! We miss him here.

Lappy – Talk to Dean Lombardi and put back on the forum blue.

Open Arms brotha…Open Arms….

Drizzt

I’ll I can say at a time like this – is that Darcy Tucker sucks – and I hope the bum reads this.

Drizzt

I’ll I can say at a time like this – is that Darcy Tucker sucks – and I hope the bum reads this.

Paul Nerves

We’ve removed our heart to save our appendix.

Thanks Mr Laperriere- you were often the only reason to watch during 08-09.! I’ll be wearing #14 to every game during the 09-10 season.

Paul Nerves

We’ve removed our heart to save our appendix.

Thanks Mr Laperriere- you were often the only reason to watch during 08-09.! I’ll be wearing #14 to every game during the 09-10 season.

This organization just gets worse and worse and is quickly becoming the laughing stock of the NHL!!!

Robb

I wish people would get a clue, Lappy brought no skills to the table what so ever. He played with Heart, that means we couldn’t find the back of the net if you lead him to it. He’s old and it’s time to move on.

Robb

I wish people would get a clue, Lappy brought no skills to the table what so ever. He played with Heart, that means we couldn’t find the back of the net if you lead him to it. He’s old and it’s time to move on.

Shawn Hill

I’ve been a fan for years, but without Lappy and Sakic, its going to be hard to stay committed. I hope Ian does well in his next position.

Shawn Hill

I’ve been a fan for years, but without Lappy and Sakic, its going to be hard to stay committed. I hope Ian does well in his next position.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.